Miscellaneous Utility Cost Types

Adding a miscellaneous utility cost type value allows you to define the values that are included in the Cost Type drop-down menu in the Miscellaneous Costs pane on the Utility module's Invoice page. To create a miscellaneous utility cost type:

1. Click the Add Misc Utility Cost Type link.

   The Add Misc Utility Cost Type dialog box opens.

2. In the Name field, enter a name for the cost type.

   The name you enter must be unique.

3. In the Description field, enter a description of the meter site status.

4. In the Tab Order field, enter a numeric value.

   The Tab Order indicates the position, in menus, where this value will be listed. Lower numbered values are displayed toward the top of the list. Values will the same tab order will be sorted alphabetically.

5. In the Rate-Based field, select Yes if this cost type is calculated based on a rate.

   Rate-based costs are costs that are billed on a per-unit basis. For example, maintenance costs might be billed on a per-hour basis. If you select Yes, you must enter a value in the Rate field.

6. In the Rate field, enter a rate for this cost.

   If the cost is rate-based, entering a rate is required. Users entering miscellaneous costs on the Invoice page cannot edit the specified rate for rate-based costs. If the cost is not rate-based, entering a rate is optional and serves as a guideline for customary costs of this type. Users entering miscellaneous costs on the Invoice page are allowed to edit the displayed rate for non-rate-based costs.

7. In the Rate UOM field, select the unit of measure for this type of cost, for example, per hour or per unit.

   If the cost is rate-based, entering a unit of measure is required.

8. In the Markup % field, enter the percentage by which the cost is increased to calculate the final cost.

   For example, to enter a 15 percent markup, enter 15.5 (not .155).

9. Click ADD.

   The miscellaneous utility cost type value is added to the list. The name of the user who added the miscellaneous utility cost type value and the date and time when it was added are displayed.

Miscellaneous utility cost type values can be modified. For example, if you want to change the value that users see, you can modify the name. To edit a miscellaneous utility cost type value:

1. Click the Edit link to the right of the miscellaneous utility cost type value you want to edit.

   The Edit Misc Utility Cost Type dialog box opens.

2. Modify any of the following values:

   • Name – the value that users see
   • Description – information about the cost type
   • Tab Order – the position in which the cost type value will be displayed in drop-down menus
   • Rate-Based – Yes if the cost type is calculated based on a rate
   • Rate – the rate for the cost
   • Rate UOM – the unit of measure for the cost
   • Markup % – the percentage by which the cost should be increased

3. Click UPDATE.

   The modified miscellaneous utility cost type parameters, including the name of the user who edited them and the date and time when they were edited, are displayed.

Miscellaneous utility cost type values that have not been used can be deleted from the system. If a miscellaneous utility cost type has been used to enter a miscellaneous cost on an invoice, it cannot be deleted.

To delete a meter site status value:

1. Click the Edit link to the right of the meter site status value you want to delete.

   The Edit Misc Utility Cost Type dialog box opens.

2. Click the Delete link in the top right corner of the dialog box.

   A dialog box opens asking you to confirm your choice.

3. Click OK.